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I saw and took a look at a 2019 BMW 440i Gran Coupe out for a spin. I think this definitely fits the bill for me. Comparisons are with my 2017 X1 and 2020 86:
-Cockpit felt snug, like in a Lexus IS ive sat in before, and the 86. X1 feels more roomy (well duh, its an SUV/CUV and set up like one lol).
-Rear seat space is quite good except for headroom , that's a bit tight. I didn't have to tilt my head or anything but my head was almost touching the headliner. its obviously due to the sloping rear roofline. Plenty of legroom and shoulder space, very sedan-like and not just coupe space with easier access to back seats. The seats were actually quite comfortable (they looked kind of hard and flat in pictures). I'm only 5'-7" so that helps with space. I think taller people would have to slouch a bit for headroom.
-That hatchback though, huge opening. One of the main selling points for me. The space itself doesn't seem to be rated all that much different than the sedan trunk with the seats up but drop the seats...much space can be had
-Interior is almost identical to the X1 (everything looks and is in the same locations), and this one has some newer tech. The turn signals stalks actually stay in the left/right positions and don't retract to neutral. I knew BMW changed back to these "normal" stalks but i thought it was with the generation of cars after this one. Stalk still feels flimsy and cheap though. The 86 stalk feels chunkier, and the X1 'retract to neutral all the time' stalk actually feels solid.
-The screen is a touchscreen unlike in our X1. I think the screens is in the same spot as on the X1, but because of the lower seating position its actually a bit of a reach to touch it.
-That B58 motor is a monster. I was just pulling out of the dealership on the test drive so didn't even give it the beans yet and i could FEEL that power under my foot and it was ready to go at any moment. When i did get a chance to open it up it just pulls HARD. there was some turbo lag though even in sport+. the B48 in the X1 (228hp) is alot tamer in comparison (doesnt pull as hard obviously). And the 86 just has a completely different feel (N/A high revver, though it does pull after the torque dip, obviously not as hard but you're already going pretty quick by then)
And this is the earlier variant so it only has about 320hp or so. Its hard to imagine how much more "pinned to your seat" feeling you can get with more powers.....I let off after like 2 seconds cuz it was surpassing speeding levels so quickly.
-Car handled well, was flat, and well sorted. It just felt solid. Quieter than the 86 (and the X1 i felt) and not as bouncy (the 86 firmness makes it a bit bouncy on the rough stuff, but not uncomfortably so mind you, unlike what i heard about the pre-refresh cars) Obvious build quality differences (no surprise there, ones built to a economy car standard, one's built to a luxury car standard). The car didn't feel that heavy probably due to the power it possesses. Steering had some heft but felt somewhat artificial.
Ill go test drive a few more options (of which my options are kind of all over the place... stick options include Mini Countryman, Subaru WRX, GR Corolla, etc & auto options like IS, Alfa Guilia, etc) But I'm almost certain I'll end up with a 430 or 440 sometime in the future. I like the car and it checks all the boxes im looking for in a 4 door car.
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